Free Healthcare

[seekerz]

Insurance isn’t likely to stem the use of the ER, because the population that uses the ER for routine care are the ones that don’t have access to insurance anyway.

Not sure I get what you’re trying to say here. If they misuse the ER because they lack access to insurance, how will providing insurance not stem that misuse? Are you referring to those who won’t qualify for coverage?

 

[Dawnia]

Not sure I get what you’re trying to say here. If they misuse the ER because they lack access to insurance, how will providing insurance not stem that misuse? Are you referring to those who won’t qualify for coverage?

I’m talking those that don’t qualify for medicaid (either because of income or other reason), but too poor to pay the monthly premiums for insurance.

 

[seekerz]

I’m talking those that don’t qualify for medicaid (either because of income or other reason), but too poor to pay the monthly premiums for insurance.

Aren’t these the same people who will now receive subsidies so that they can pay the monthly premiums?

 

[Dawnia]

Aren’t these the same people who will now receive subsidies so that they can pay the monthly premiums?

The subsidy comes as tax credit AFTER they’ve already paid the premiums. I don’t know too many people living paycheck to paycheck who can pull a full years worth of insurance premiums out of their budget before they ever see a dime of subsidy money.

There are also a significant portion of people who are barred temporarily or permanently from Medicaid because of spend down’s (for having too many assets) or fraud. Medicaid has a 3 year look back period)

Dealt with three cases just recently where people who would normally qualify for Medicaid had to choose between Medicaid and a very modest inheritance. The money and/or value of possessions they would have received wouldn’t have covered the cost of premiums for private insurance for the full spend down period. All three are disabled and unable to work and wouldn’t be able to cover the deductibles and uncovered costs either.

Or how about all of those guys and ladies who make barely above the Medicaid guidelines, but pay in excess of 20% of their paycheck in child support and medical care? Throw in a new family and they are screwed if they have to pay for private insurance. Not to mention for purposes of the subsidy, their disposable income will show artificially higher than reality.

At least for those that can work, their earned income credit should pay for most if not all of the penalty for not having insurance.

 

[Rdunbar123]

but the issue is who pays? With ACA, everyone will have insurance or they will pay a penalty/tax toward the cost of any medical care they might incur. Since hospitals will no longer have to make up the difference for caring for the uninsured, they don’t have to inflate the prices for those with insurance.

Hope I quoted. Right. If my company drops coverage I will pay 1500 until I get sick and then I wii get insurance . Btw, no one in Texas is turned away at the ER